RTCA Constitution

ARTICLE ONEName

This Organization shall be known as the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association of Washington, D.C.

ARTICLE TWOObjects

The Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association has for its aim the promotion of the radio and television news gathering fraternity and strives to protect the rights and privileges of radio and television news reporters, and assist in every way possible to maintain the high standards of reporting news by radio, television, wireless and other similar means of transmission.

ARTICLE THREEMembership

Sec. 1 – The membership of this Association shall consist of persons whose qualifications, in the judgment of the executive Committee, hereinafter constituted, shall warrant their election to any one of the following classifications.

Sec. 2 – ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. Those who are qualified for membership in the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. This membership status shall include all privileges of the Association such as voting, the holding of office, proposing persons for membership, in any of the various classifications and proposing amendments to the Constitution.

Sec. 3 (a) – ASSOCIATE (Non‑Resident). This classification shall consist of persons, who in the opinion of the majority of the Executive Committee qualify for active membership in the Association but who are not actually residents of the Federal District or vicinity.

Sec. 3 (b) – ASSOCIATE (Resident). This classification shall consist of members of the radio and television profession from the area of the Federal District or vicinity, who in the opinion of the majority of the Executive Committee do not qualify for active membership, but whose duties are closely associated with the gathering or dissemination of news for, and by, radio, television or similar means of transmission.

Sec. 4 – HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. Those persons, who in the opinion of the majority of the Executive Committee have rendered outstanding service to the objects of this Association.

ARTICLE FOURDues

All active members shall pay dues payable on or before January 1 of each calendar year. Dues of all classifications of membership shall be set by the Executive Committee. All members in arrears shall not participate in the elections of the Association.

ARTICLE FIVEOfficers and Designation of Duties

Sec. 1 – The officers of this Association shall be elected for a term of two years, provided, however, that at the election in December, 1977, the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall serve for two years and the remaining three for one year. Thereafter, four members shall be elected in odd‑numbered years and three in even‑numbered years. Immediately after each election steps shall be taken to transfer all duties, financial accounts, and Association business to their jurisdiction, such transfer to be accomplished no later than the opening day of the new Session of the Congress.

Sec. 2 – The candidate who receives the highest number of votes at the annual election shall become president of the Association during the second year of his term, provided, however, that the president for 1978 shall be elected by and from among the seven members of the Executive Committee. In the event no candidate receives a higher number of votes, the members of the Executive Committee shall elect a president from among themselves. The members of the Executive Committee shall also elect for one‑year terms any other officers from among themselves they deem necessary. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to take such measures as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries of the House of Representatives and the Senate subject to such rules as may be determined by the Speaker of the House and the Senate Committee on Rules.

Sec. 3 – The Executive Committee is herewith empowered to enact bylaws in order to put in effect the provisions of this constitution.

ARTICLE SIXQuorums

Sec. 1 – A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Sec. 2 – A majority of the members of this Association shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. It shall be the duty of the secretary to see that every reasonable effort is made to notify all members of meetings.

ARTICLE SEVENMeetings

Sec. 1 – There shall be an annual meeting of this Association on the first Friday following the annual election.

Sec. 2 – Upon the presentation of a petition signed by twelve active members of this Association calling for a meeting, the President shall arrange for such meeting at a date not later than ten days from the date on aforesaid petition, Sundays and legal holidays excepted.

ARTICLE EIGHTAmendment

Amendments to this constitution must be presented in writing to each member of this Association at least ten days prior (Sundays and holidays excepted) to the date of a regular or special meeting of this Association. A plurality of two‑thirds of the members present and voting shall be necessary for the adoption of an amendment.